Essence of Coffee, a beloved downtown Rapid City cafe, started as Essence of Coffee Roasters in 2014 before opening its cafe doors in 2015. Founded by Michael Fewson and his wife Lesley, the venture began from their desire to enjoy high-quality coffee, prompting them to roast their own beans and establish a cafe. Their son initially helped run the business until 2019. Originally from Australia, the Fewsons relocated to South Dakota on a working visa, but their plans to renew it in Perth were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging period, the Rapid City community rallied around them, solidifying their bond with the area. Now permanent residents, the Fewsons continue to serve meticulously crafted coffee, emphasizing the importance of bean quality and brewing precision. Their monthly 'Taste the World' feature highlights exotic beans from around the globe, continually enhancing the local coffee scene.
Enjoying the read? Subscribe for free to one of the fastest-growing newsletters and get weekly coffee news (TL;DR updates) delivered right to your inbox.